A guide to Brake and Clutch services reservoir

A brake and clutch service reservoir is a storage container for brake or fluid supply. It is attached to the brake or clutch master cylinder in a car. The reservoir prevents the brake fluid from getting contaminated, as  damaged fluid can cause further damage to the master and slave cylinders, causing them to leak. You will be unable to change gears if a cylinder leaks constantly during its usage. Technically, a clutch fluid is the same as a fluid mentioned here, and the brake service reservoir level falls because the clutch service also uses the same reservoir.

The reservoir is usually made of polymer plastic and has 10-20% of the weight of glass fibres. The reservoir cap has a diaphragm that expands and contracts based on the pressure built. It also has a fluid level sensor that indicates the fluid levels in the reservoir.

Brake and clutch service reservoir failure indications

A Brake and Clutch services reservoir must be working properly, or else it can create a lot of problems in your car. However, it sometimes becomes impossible to understand the present condition of your brake and clutch reservoir. Hence, the following indications might help you understand any flaws in the system: If you notice the brake light blinking in your car dashboard, you can easily guess that there might be a fluid leakage from the reservoir. It might also indicate other issues in the car engine.

You might even get to see traces of fluid leakage in front of the vehicle, near your master cylinder. The stains of grease will help you understand the fluid leakage from the reservoir.

If you come across a situation where you would be able to notice a darker shade of the reservoir fluid, then you should know that it has come in contact with water somehow due to the leakage from the reservoir. Thus, you can contact a mechanic immediately or try out DIY formulas. Causes of these problems

• One of the major reasons behind brake and clutch services reservoir’s fluid leakage can be a damaged container. The container is of plastic and can easily become worn out with time and might require a replacement.  If it is not replace for a long time, it can thin out and crack, leading the brake fluid to leak completely. This will lead to many problems regarding your car’s brake. Also, the fluid will get contaminate due to these cracks and will require an immediate fluid and reservoir change.

• Another reason could be the diaphragm. Sometimes there might not be cracks in the container, but still, you might experience  leakage due to the malfunctioning diaphragm. If the diaphragm is loosen somehow or is old, it can lead to fluid leakage and contamination. The fluid can absorb moisture or air, which will lead to faulty brake performance.

• In case, the fluid level sensor is not working, you won’t notice when the brake fluid reaches its minimum level. This is why a regular fluid check is necessary, or your entire brake system can damage.

How to fix the break and clutch services reservoir problems?

Fixing a reservoir problem is easy if you can find the causes that led to those problems in the first place. You need to start by changing the reservoir and getting a new, strong reservoir that suits your car. You may also need to change the brake or clutch fluid because not all fluids go with your car, and the wrong one can cause damage. It is best to get a car mechanic for fixing such problems.

 You need to remember a few things when opting for a car mechanic. You should choose a car mechanic who is ASE (Automotive service excellence) certified and who uses branded and good tools.

The brake and clutch services reservoir are a very important part of your car, and you should regularly check its performance. The reservoir should also replace after a particular time interval to avoid damage.